Mechanical refrigeration apparatus



Aug. 27, 1929. HE 1,726,519

MECHANICAL REFRIGERATION APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 9, 1926Aug. 27, 1929. HEATH 1,726,519

MECHANICAL REFRIGERATION APPARATUS Filed Aug. 9, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 225 ing of very tion. Many other objects and purposes than 1 accompanyingdrawings,

Patented Aug. 27, 1929.

UNITED STATES DEIIOS I. HEATH, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS.-

. nncmmcu. mismmrxon arrm'rus.

. Application filed August 9, 192.6. serial No. 127,988. I.

This invention relates to mechanical refrigeration apparatus. purpose ofthe present invention to construct an apparatus 0 the characterindicated, providing a refrigeratingunit including electric motor fordriving the compressor of'the unit, the same being automatically startedand stopped in accordance with variations in pressure in the lowpressure or expansion part of the line which carries the com ressibleand expansible refrigerating flui together with a condenser coil adaptedto be air cooled, and a radiator of cast iron in which the compressedfluid is expanded with a resultant absorption of heat from thesurrounding atmosphere around the radiator for the production ofrefrigeration. A further object of the invention is to provide a novelconstruction and assembly of mechanical refrigeration unit, one in whichthe condenser coil is supported in a simple and novel manner, and iscooled by air blown thereover from a fan forming a part of the drivepulley of the compressor, the unit as a whole bedurable and practicalconstructhose stated will be apparent as understanding of the inventionis had from the following description, taken in connection with the inwhich,

of the complete Fig. 1 is a side elevation shown refrigerating unit, theradiator being in vertical section.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic outline in elevation of the unit.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the motor, compressor, condenser coil andcontrol box, showing the same supported on a horizontal platform, and VFig. 4 is a vertical section taken substantially on the plane of line4-4, of Fig. 3.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figuresof the drawings.

In the construction shown, a horizontal platform 1 of wood is used, thesame being of rectangular shape. At each end thereof suporting membersare used,-each including a ront substantially vertical leg 2 and a rearsimilar leg 3 connected at their upper ends by an angle bar 4, the widthof the platform 1 being less than the length of the bars 4 so that aspace is left between the rear edge of the platform and an angle bar 5connecting the rear ends of the bars 4, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Theangle bar 5 is located with a It is an object and '21 is placed driveflange 5 ma vertical plane in front of which is the condenser coils 6 ofthe unit. These coils are located in continuous superimposed relation,the uppermost of the coils being located a considerable distance abovethe bar 5 and the lowermost being below said bar, as shown in Figs. 1and 4.

This condenser coil construction, at its rear sides bears against twopairs of vertical bars 7 secured ad acent the ends of the angle bar 5.Two pairs of clamping bars 8 lie against theinner sides of the coils,one in front of each pair of bars 7, and are permanently securedthereto, thereby securely clamping the rear side of the coilconstruction and holding it vertical. A bar 9 of metal is attached atits front lower end to the upper side of the platform 1 and therefromextends diagonally upward and to the rear for a distance, being thenbent to make a horizontal sect on 10, at the rear end of which it isturned vertically upward, as indicated at 11.. Two palrs of clampingbars 12 and 13 are vertitively of the front side of the coilconstruction and permanently clamped thereagainst, the sectlon 11' ofthe diagonal bar 9 previously described lying against the upper endportion of the bars 12 and having secure attachment thereto. The coilconstruction 6, accordingly, is very securely held on the supporttherefor, its lower portion extending downwardly through the rectangularopening betweegi the rear edge of the platform 1 and the The coilconstruction at its upper end has a pipe 14 which connects with the head15 of a compressor 16 mounted on the platform 1 in front of the coilconstruction 6. The compressed fluid goes from the compressor to thecoil construction through pipe 14 and the regulation of the compressionof the fluid is accomplished through the adjusting member 15 shown inFigs. 1 and 4. The shaft 17 of the compressor extends rearwardly and atits rear end a short distance in front of the condenser coils 6 isequipped with a fan 18 around the outer ends of theblades of which agrooved rim 19 is located and secured. electric motor 20 is attached toand supported by the platform 1 near one end thereof, having a drivepulley at one end of its shaft around which and the rim 19 an endlessbelt the fan and the compressor from the mo or; A- metal shield 22 ofthe cally disposed at the front and back respeccurved form shown liesover the fan, belt and pulleys being attached at its ends to the bars 4back of the rear edge of the platform. The fan 18 and the rim 19 aroundit extend downwardl in the opening back of the platform. The air blownby the fan rearwardly serves to cool the condenser coil construction,disseminating the heat which comes from the compression of therefrigerant fluid as it is forced into the condenser coil.

At the lower end of the said coilconstruction 6 a pipe 23 leadsforwardly and upwardly over the upper side of the platform, connectingat its ront end to a coupling 24 attached to the platform in which aregulating stem 25 is mounted so as to control the passage of the fluidto the pipe 26 connected at its lower end with said coupling. Pipe 26extends upwardly and at 1ts upper end joins with a float chamber 27which is of elongated form, at one end being enlarged, as indicated at27, joining with which is the narrow elongated portion 27", at the endof which a valve seat 28 is positioned at its lower side. A ball float29 is located in the enlar ed portion 27 fixed at one end of a rod 30 wllCll lies within and lengthwise of the portion 27" of the chamber. herod 30 is pivotally connected at its other end at 31 to the said chamberand carries a vertical valve' 'in 32 near such pivot which is elevatedwit the elevation of the ball 29 so as to open the passage through thevalve seat at 28. The fluid thereupon passes fromthe float chamberthrough a U-shaped pipe 33 to the radiator 34 which is of cast iron withoutwardly extending radiating vanes at its sides, within which is arectangular shaped inner radiator element 35, the fluid passing througha passage 36 from pipe 33 to the relatively narrow spaces between theinner and outer radiator elements, expanding in said radiator andchanging from liquid to aseous form with the consequent absorption ofheat from the surrounding atmosphere.

In the upper end of the radiator is a chamber 37 to w ich the gaseousrefrigerant fluid is carried and from which it passes through a screen38 to a return pipe 39 and thence downwardly to a connection 40 attachedto the compressor 16, the gaseous fluid bein taken into the compressorand compresse to li uid form an delivered to the condenser coi s 6, Thescreen 38 is ver clude the passage 0 any solid matter to the pipe 39which is likely to be present in the interior of the cast iron radiatorfrom which all of the sand core usually cannot be completely cleanedafter casting.

When the compressor 16 is not operated, the passage of the liquidrefrigerating fluid from the condenser coils to the radiator, with theexpansion of the liquid to gaseous state, serves in time to increase theressure in the radiator and in the pipe 39 an connection 40,

useful in order to prb which pressure is transmitted through the smalllead pipe 41 connected with the part 40 to an automatic switch controlhoused in a control box or housing 42 mounted above and supported by theplatform 1. The effect of the building u of pressure is to throw theswitch when t e and predetermine amount and complete an electric circuitin which the motor 20 is 10- cated, thereby starting the motor inoperation and taking the gaseous fluid from the radiator, compressing itand delivering it in liquid form to the coils 6. The electric wiringbetween the control housing and the motor is shown at 43. Theconstruction of the automatic switch control is not specifically shownin the present application, it being the subject matter of a copendingapplication for patent. The compression of the gaseous fluid taken fromthe radiator 34 serves to reduce the ressure of the gas, and when thesame has been reduced to a predetermined and desired amount, the switchis again thrown to circuit breaking position, stopping themotor fromoperating.

The construction described is very p:actical. The single support for theentire mechanism, excepting the radiator makes it possible to build andassemble the construction very readily and economically. The air coolingof the condenser coils is accom lished in a s1mple and eflicient manner.T e su portingof the coils is simple and practical.'

of the automatic starting and stoppin of the motor from the low ressureside of the condenser is of value. it is possible to defrost theradiator. between successive cycles of operation of the motor, thetemperature in the radiator being raised to above the freezing point ashort time before the motor is cut in to operate the compressor so thatany frost or ice accumulating on the radiator is melted, this obviatingthe necessity of periodically defrosting the radiator as required inother systems. A com act, economically built, eflicient and durablerefrigerating unit is produced and one which has proved its value inservice. The appended claims define the invention, which is to beconsidered com rehensive of all structures coming within their sco e.

claim:

1. In combination a horizontal platform, are secured at opposite endstransversely ofthe platform and extending beyond the rear edgethereof,supporting'feet extending downwardly from the ends of said bars,a third bar located horizontally between and connected to the rear endsof the first bars opening is provided between said rear end to theplatform,

a condenser coil construction located vertically in front of andconnected to said third bar having its lower portion extendlng below thelower side of said platform, and an electric motor, a compressor drivenressure reaches a certain he control whereby an thereby and a controlbox for the motor mopnted upon said platform in front of the col 2. Inconstruction in the class described, a horizontal platform ofrectangular outline, bars having supporting feet extending downwardlyfrom their ends connected to and located transversely of said platformat its ends, said bars extending rearwardly beyond the rear edge of theplatform, a third bar located parallel to the rear edge said platformand connecting the rear ends of said first mentioned bars, a condensercoil structure com.- prising a plurality of coils located one over theother disposed vertically in front of and secured to said third bar, thelower coils of said coil construction extending downwardly through theopening between said third bar and rear of the platform, a compressorcarried by said platform, a fan securedon the shaft of said compressorin front of the coil construction and extending at its lower portionthrough the opening between the platform and the third bar, an electricmotor for driving the compressor carried on said platform, and means fordriving the compressor from said electric motor.

3. In combination, a horizontal platform,

' transverse supporting bars secured at the ends of said platform and attheir rear ends extending a distance back of the rear edge of saidplatform, feet extending downwardly from said bars, a third barconnecting the rear ends of the first mentioned bars, a condenser coilconstruction formed of a plurality of superimposed coils located in thefront of the third bar, the lower portion thereof ex tending below theplatform, means connecting the rear side of the coil construction tosaid third bar, a brace member attached at one end to the platformextending upwardly and connected to the upper end of the coilconstruction, a compressor carried by the platform in front of said coilconstruction and having a rearwardly extending shaft, a fan on theshaft, a grooved rim around the fan, said fan and rim at their lowerportions lying below the platform, an electric motor on said platform,and means passing around said rim from the electric motor for drivingthe compressor.

4. In a construction of the class described, a horizontal platform, aframe having legs supporting said platform, a compressor and motormounted on said platform, a condenser coil, vertical bars clamped tosaid condenser coil and attached to said frame, vertical bars clamped tosaid condenser coil and supported upon said platform by an inclinedbrace, and a guard shielding parts of said compressor and motor, saidguard being semi-circular in form and fixed at its ends to said platformand supported at its middle'by said inclined brace.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

DELOS P. HEATH.

